It is the nature of the ignorant mind to pursue things that harm it the most and postpone things that matter MOST.

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Lessons in stories

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By: Harsha Bhat

He believes in narration to communicate a message about the environment

Vikram Sridhar (29) marketing professional at SAP, storyteller,conservationist, theatre artist
Adegree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from IIT-Madras took Vikram Sridhar down the road of marketing but he developed a penchant for theatre and storytelling. Sridhar has been part of theatre group Tahatto for over 8 years. For over a year, he has been telling stories to 3 to 70-year-olds focusing on animal and environmental conservation.”My first tryst with stories was through the Panchatantra and other tales. I found most of their ‘moral’ connotations — a fox is cunning, and a hyena is sly — limiting,” he says. “A fox is just preying. From the snake and mongoose to Nala Damayanti, these stories fostered stereotypes.” That’s when he decided to tell stories “his way”.

“Our perception of life is shaped by stories we hear as kids. The best way to mould young minds is through tales.”

Calling what he does “conservation through creativity”, he adds, “my interest in ethology, love for theatre and association with animal rights and environmental organisations have conspired to create my storytelling style. I want children to see animals positively?”